14 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Lanark, very little underdrainage had been done previous to 1907, 

 and when we first took up this work, we found four obstacles barring 

 progress in this particular line: 



1. A lack of appreciation of the benefits to be derived; 



2. Lack of technical knowledge in laying out systems; 



3. The absence of tile factories in any part of the county; 



4. Lack of experience in digging drains to grade, laying tile, 

 etc., and inability to secure competent labour to do this work. 



During the seasons of 1908 and 1909, we overcame the first 

 difficulty to a certain extent in our propaganda work by means of 

 addresses, newspaper articles, demonstrations, etc. 



The second difficulty was met by offering our services free of ex- 

 pense in making surveys, laying out systems, preparing plans, etc. 

 During the fall of 1909, some of the systems laid out by us were 

 partially installed by hand labour. One of these fields made an ex- 

 cellent demonstration field, as it chanced to lie beside a leading road 

 and had previously been deemed impossible to drain satisfactorily. 

 This spring, when adjoining fields lay sodden with water, the drained 

 field was dry and in first-class condition. It was in shape for seeding 

 fully three weeks before neighbouring fields, but was kept for corn. 

 This corn crop, grown where corn had never been grown previously, 

 was conceded to be the best crop within a radius of several miles. 

 Not only was it tall and vigorous, but it was uniform over the entire 

 field and was well matured. Needless to say, we had a great many 

 requests for drainage assistance in that section this year, while the 

 owner of the field himself put in nearly a carload of tile this fall. 



The difficulty in obtaining tile in the Perth district was over- 

 come through our local Farmers' Club. By buying co-operatively in 

 carload lots we have been able to lay down tile in Perth at a cheaper 

 price than they can be bought right in the yard at many tile 

 factories. 



This year, with another wet, backward May to back us up, we 

 launched another drainage campaign, with the result that since the 

 first of June we have devoted every available day and half day to 

 drainage work in various parts of the county. An opportunity to 

 secure the services of a steam ditcher from the province of Quebec 

 assisted us in overcoming the fourth difficulty, and incidentally gave 

 underdrainage the greatest impetus it has yet received in this district. 

 The owner of the ditcher placed himself in our hands, took only such 

 work as we laid out for him, followed our grades, etc., and stayed 

 with us for two months, digging at the rate of at least 2,000 feet per 

 day and as much as 3,000 when conditions were favourable. Break- 

 ages, due to our stony land, prevented us accomplishing as much as 



